Wyoming Lottery Still Seeking Retailer Applications

June 3, 2014

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASECheyenne, Wyoming

Wyoming retail business owners interested in selling Powerball® and Mega Millions® tickets at their retail locations when the Wyoming Lottery goes live on August 24 still have time to submit an application to become a WyoLotto™ retailer.

According to Wyoming Lottery CEO, Jon Clontz, despite the successful launch of the application process on May 21, the lottery is encouraging interested retailers who haven’t yet applied to submit an application. “We’ve received around 300 applications online so far, and several by mail, representing more than 500 locations,” Clontz said. “Our goal is to place a maximum of 450 to 500 terminals statewide, but we’ll certainly experience attrition as a result of the vetting process. That means retailers who haven’t applied yet still have a good chance of becoming a WyoLotto ticket seller.”

Clontz says the lottery wants to ensure that players across the state have an opportunity to buy tickets, so creating an adequately dispersed network of retail locations is important. “We’re extremely pleased with the response from retailers, so far,” he said. “Virtually every type of retail business is represented, from gas stations and convenience stores to bowling alleys, bars, restaurants — you name it. That’s important, because we want to make sure it’s convenient for people to play, even if they live in less-populated areas of the state.”

Business owners who submit applications must undergo a thorough review. The vetting process includes financial and criminal background checks on all applicants. Lottery officials say that a certain percentage may not pass the checks, so they encourage additional applications until they’ve filled all of the available slots.

Clontz said the lottery will also maintain a 90-day waiting list of approved applicants so he can quickly fill future vacancies as they occur. “There’s no downside to applying and we have kept the process simple, so if a retailer’s interested in selling lottery tickets, it makes sense to get an application in.”

Wyoming retail business owners have several options for applying to become a WyoLotto™ retailer. Retailers can: